Vote in the European election, today!

HAVE your say in Europe by voting today!

The European Election is here - cast your votes at Forres Town Hall, Community Centre and Tennis Clubhouse. Voters from local villages should vote at their polling stations at the James Milne Institute in Findhorn, Kinloss Church of Scotland, Dyke and District Hall, Rafford Hall and Edinkillie Hall in Dunphail.

Check your polling card for the venue for your particular area. The polling stations will be open until 10pm.

"It is important to vote in the European Elections because we can choose who represents us in the EU," said Forres Academy pupil, EU civil servant, Helen Ross.

"This is increasingly important due to important legislation that is negotiated at EU level."

The main roles of the European Parliament include debating and passing European laws covering agriculture, civil liberties, energy policy, foreign affairs, immigration, trade and EU funds; scrutinising other European Union institutions and debating and adopting the EU’s budget.

The registered political parties standing in the election for the European Electoral Region of Scotland are: Britain First - Defending the Union 2014; British National Party - Because we can make Scotland Better; Conservative Party - Scottish Conservatives Vote No to Independence; Labour Party; Liberal Democrats - Scottish Liberal Democrats; NO2EU - Yes to Workers’ Rights; Scottish Green Party; Scottish National Party (SNP) - Make Scotland’s Mark in Europe; and UK Independence Party (UKIP).

Voters in Forres will be among more than 500million people across Europe who will go to the polls today to elect 751 Members of the European Parliament.